Hey everyone!

So sorry for getting your hopes up last time I posted with the authors note :P

I just thought you all had the right to know about why I hadn't updated, and I didn't intend to get you all excited only to not actually post the next chapter :P

But hey! The fact that you all were excited is a really good sign :)

So this is the actual chapter! Woohoo! *happy dance*

I hope you all appreciate the update since I am writing this while I am sick :P Colds are never fun.

Anyway! Here it is!

Please leave a review and tell me what you think :)

Chapter Four: I'm fine.

I narrow my eyes and cross my arms as I glare at Felix. He mimics my pose and glares back. We sit there, unmoving for about three minutes before I say for the hundredth time.

"Felix, go get some rest."

He shakes his head as we continue the stare down. Answering with the same reply I've been getting all morning.

"Nope."

I growl in frustration and flop back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling with my arms still crossed.

"You are a royal pain."

I hear him chuckle and I try not to smile as he plants a light kiss on my forehead.

"You're one to talk."

I swat at him, but he dodges just in time. I refuse to look at him as I continue to direct my glare at the ceiling.
"I refuse to talk to you unless you go get some rest."

"Well that's a bit harsh."

I sit up and turn to him, a mixture of anger and worry on my face.

"You don't understand Felix! You don't think I worry about you? You haven't had a good sleep in who knows how long, and now you're being stubborn and refusing to go rest. I will be fine, if you go sleep."

He looks a little surprised at my outburst, and drops my gaze, staring guiltily at the bed. I slide forward and put my hands over his, lowering my voice.

"Please go get some rest Felix?"

He looks up and lets out a sigh.
"You are impossible."

I smile and give him a quick kiss.

"I love you."

He chuckles and shakes his head as he stands up.
"I love you too. Fine! I'll go get some sleep. But only if you promise to be here when I wake up."

I laugh and cross my heart.

"I promise."

He gives me another kiss before walking out the door. I feel relief wash over me now that Felix is going to get some rest. I could tell he was dead tired, and it was starting to worry me. Dad is still sleeping downstairs, and Leroy is visiting Becky, on my request. I could tell he needed to get out of the house after all the stress of the past day or so. I am just starting to wonder if Dash is still here, when he knocks on the door.

"Can I come in?"

I nod and he walks in, sitting on the edge of the bed and brushing some hair out of my face.
"How do you feel?"

I shrug.

"Physically, okay I guess. A little sore."

"Physically?"

He asks questioningly. I try to brush the comment off replying casually.

"Yeah, I'll recover."

He continues to stare at me, before finally saying in a whisper.
"What about emotionally and psychologically?"

I glare at him and reply defensively.

"What? I'm fine! Why does no one believe me! Sure I've been thrown into an arena full of children all to be slaughtered, lost my little brother, had a mental breakdown, got put on drugs, been confused, hurt, torn and broken, got home and was assaulted by a complete creep who nearly killed me with more drugs, and in two months I have to go on my victory tour to face all the families of the children that are all dead because of me, and I won't see my family for who knows how long, and I worry about Felix and my family all the time, but yes! I am fine!"

I'm panting slightly from my lack of breathing during my outburst, and my expression slowly changed through the rant from angry to broken, and my vision blurs from unshed tears. He looks at me for a long moment, staring into my eyes. Finally he wraps his arms tightly around me and pulls me against him. I bury my head in his chest and sob, all the emotions I've bottled up for the past day come flooding out and I can't help my shoulders from shaking. Dash just holds me tightly and rests his cheek against my head.

"I was so scared Dash. I was helpless...I couldn't move...he hurt me..."

I hear his teeth grind together and his arms tighten on me slightly.
"Mags, I can never take back what he did to you, and I can't make it better, but I promise that I gave that scumbag exactly what he deserved."

I sniff and wipe my cheeks, resting my head against his chest and taking a deep breath.
"What did you do to him? I don't remember anything..."

When he doesn't reply, I pull away and look at him, seeing his grim face I feel fear burrow in the pit of my stomach.
"Dash...what did you do?"

He meets my gaze, and after a long pause a wide grin spreads across his face.

"Let's just say...the family line stops with him."

My eyes widen and I can't help the shocked giggle that escapes my lips.
"You didn't!"

He shrugs and chuckles at my expression.

"I was so angry when I saw what he was doing to you...so I made sure he felt as much pain as possible."

"I almost wish I could feel bad for him."

"I don't. He got what he deserved. I swear if I see him anywhere near you again I'll make him wish he was in the arena."

Dash growls out, and I know he means it.

"Well, I'm safe now. And I'll be fine..."

He brushes his hand over my hair and lets out a sigh.

"Oh Mags, you have been forced to deal with more pain and torture than anyone ever should. And yet you keep your head up, and push through. What keeps you from just giving up?"

I think for a minute.

"Honestly...I don't know."

"Oh come on, there has to be a reason."

I shrug.

"Maybe there is, but I don't know what it is."

I look up at him and give him a small smile.
"But I promise I'll let you know once I figure it out."

He gives me a dead serious look before tapping the end of my nose.
"Make sure that you keep that promise young lady, I could use some of that strength you have."

Strength? I'm the one getting held and sobbing into his shirt. And somehow I'm the strong one.

"You should really get some rest."

Dash chuckles and releases me, keeping one arm draped over my shoulders.

"Why don't you take some of the advice you've been giving to everyone?"

I poke his arm and say matter-of-factly.

"Because, I have had plenty of rest, whereas everyone else has had none."

He rolls his eyes and fixes me with a glare.
"I would hardly call suffering all night through withdrawal as getting 'plenty of rest'. If anyone needs rest, it's you."

I sigh frustrated and sulk.

"Fine. I will lie down, and pretend to sleep. Happy?"

He grins and removes his arm from my shoulders, pulling the sheets back and motioning for me to lie down.

"Excellent!"

I look at him with mock awe and say sarcastically.

"Wow that was a big word! Did you pick that up from someone smart?"

He gives me a "not-amused" face and slides my legs under the covers.
"Ha, ha, very funny. Now lie down, and I guarantee that you will fall asleep and get a good rest. Despite your objections."

I lay down and cross my arms, glaring at him from my pillow.
"I won't go to bed unless you promise to get some rest as well."

He chuckles and stands up.

"Very well, I shall do as the lady of the sea requests."

My expression changes at my Capitol given nickname, and I feel all the pent-up fear and anxiety show on my face. Dash notices and immediately walks back over and sits on the edge of the bed.

"Mags, I'm sorry..."

I sit up and shake my head, fighting the panic that now lives constantly in my mind.
"No. It's fine."

He ducks his head so that he can see my face and says quietly.
"No, it's not fine. I shouldn't have brought that up."

A single tear slides down my cheek and I close my eyes. Dash takes both of my hands in his and pulls me closer to him. Holding me for the second time today.

"Everything is going to be fine Mags. I promise."

"But you can't promise that. You can't control the Capitol."

I say bitterly, more tears streaming down my face.

"Mags, I would do anything to keep you from the same fate I have. And I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to keep you from that."

I appreciate that he's willing to do anything to protect me, but I know there isn't much he can do."

"Thank you..."

He pulls back slightly and tilts my chin up to meet his gaze. He gives me a smile, his real smile, the one that makes him look like a boy, the one that shows who he really is.
"Mags, I told you, I will always be here for you."

He gently lays me back down in bed and pulls the covers over me.
"Get some rest now. I'll come and check on you tomorrow."

I smile slightly.
"What if I don't want you to?"

He gives me a cheeky grin.

"Oh please."

I throw a pillow at him, but he just catches it, and throws it back on the bed.
"Sleep tight Mags."

I wave a hand dismissively at him.

"Same to you. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

He chuckles and gently closes the door behind him. I roll over, and just as he said, I soon fall fast asleep.

I feel a sense of foreboding in the air, but I can't pinpoint what it is. I look around at the ocean, and I feel my stomach knot as I realize that something is terribly wrong. The ocean is still. Not calm, but perfectly still. Like it's been frozen. The waves are stopped mid break, and drops of water hang suspended in the air. The only thing moving is a single flower petal, gently drifting around my feet. I reach down and try to grab it, but it hurries out of my reach. I take a step forward and it blows even further away. I follow it along the silent shore, all my thoughts focused on catching it.

After what feels like days, it stops moving and slowly drifts downwards. I reach my hand out, and it feathers down, coming to a rest on my palm. I pull it closer to examine it, but it turns into smoke and drifts away. I look up and tilt my head to the side slightly, looking at where it brought me.

I'm standing in front of an old fishing shack. A very old fishing 's something familiar about it, but I decide it's because all the fishing shacks look similar. I feel drawn to it, so I walk forward and open the door.

There are only four rooms inside, the kitchen and dining room, main room, bedroom, and a single bathroom. I wander into the main room and look around, frowning as I realize that I've been here before. In another one of my dreams. I suddenly hear that haunting tune again, and I see the music box perched on a chair in the corner. I walk over and close the lid, cutting it off in the middle of the song.

"That wasn't very nice Magarida, you used to love that tune so much."

I close my eyes and force myself to breathe normally. That voice again. Why must it always haunt me?

"Who are you? Why won't you leave me alone?"

I silently curse the waver in my voice, and then shudder as the voice purrs softly.

"My dear, it hurts me that you have to ask such a thing."

The voice draws closer as it continues.
"But what hurts me more is that you don't even know who I am. You try so hard to fight the memories, to push me into the darkest corner of your mind and trap me there. Well I have something to tell you Magarida."

I gasp as I feel a hand grip my upper arm tightly, and my eyes widen as the voice whispers in my ear.
"I'm tired of being left in the dark."

The hand pulls me hard, and I spin around gasping in shock as I finally see who haunts my dreams. But it only lasts for a split second.

The fear and shock of the situation jolts me awake, and I sit up with a scream. Within thirty seconds my father, Leroy and Felix are all in my room. Felix is beside me on the bed in an instant, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight. My father walks over quickly and sits on the edge of the bed, looking me over quickly to see if there is anything physically wrong with me.

"Shhh, it's okay Mags. It was only a nightmare. I'm here now. You're safe."

Felix coos softly, stroking my hair and gently rocking me back and forth. I feel myself relax ever so slightly, but the fear is still fresh in my mind. I grab my father's hand tightly, and stare fearfully into his eyes.
"Mags? What is it? What's wrong?"

I can see the worry in his eyes, and his brow furrows as he waits for an answer. I start to hyperventilate, but manage to gasp out one word. One small little word. A name. But the minute I say it, I see the world crashing down in my father's eyes.

"Cedric."

Cliffhanger, I know :P but it give all of you something to look forward to right?

It's a little short too...sorry about that. I'm not exactly sure where I want the next few chapters to go, but I know that soon we are going to be seeing Mags off on the victory tour, so that should be fun!

Anyway! I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next, but I hope it will be soon! I'm going back home on Monday, so maybe I can get some writing done on the way :)

Review and let me know what you think!

PS: Oh! If you were interested in checking out any of my original work, I am on Wattpad and Novel Joy under "Wendy Hamlet" on Wattpad you can check out the first book I ever wrote! It's called "The Music Box" and it is a mystery/romance/thriller type book. Then I have a story in progress on Wattpad that deals with some mythology creatures in modern day, that's in the fantasy genre. And then on Noveljoy I have one that's technically a fantasy, although it doesn't really have any fantasy type things in it.

it's hard to explain, but if you like my writing then you should check that out. And if you do read my stories, I would appreciate comments and votes! :)
Until next time!

Wendy